. >>> the nra has planned a news conference for friday, to outline what it calls meaningful contributions to the gun control debate. the gun rights group had remained silence on the issue until now. meanwhile, the white house says president obama favors reinstatement of a ban against assault rifles. >>> also, the company that makes the assault rifle used in that shooting is bracing for possible lawsuits. but bushmaster's parent company may be protected by a controversial law passed by congress seven years ago, shielding gunmakers from certain legal actions. a major investment firm, meanwhile, yesterday, announced it was dropping its stake in the company. >>> and one hint of how heated the rhetoric over gun control could get came on piers morgan's cnn show a few hours ago. his guest, the director of gun owners of america. it has rocketed around facebook and twitter overnight. >> i honestly don't understand why you would rather have people be victims of a crime than be able to defend themselves. it's incomprehensible. >> you're an unbelievably stupid man, aren't you? >> it seems to me you'r